Malott Family Penguin Encounter

Malott Family Penguin Encounter

Robert & Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove

May 28–October 31

10–11 a.m.

$80 nonmembers/$70 members

Register Here

Overview

Experience the zoo from inside the African penguin habitat! During this immersive program, you will get a personal introduction to the Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove and find out what the daily lives of penguins are like both at the zoo and the southern African coast.

All participants must have a ticket and be at least 6 years old; children ages 6–17 must be accompanied by a paid adult.

Register Here

Animal Welfare

Choice is important for animal welfare. During Penguin Encounters, zoo staff will invite the penguin to join your group, but each penguin decides whether to enter the space, how they approach your group, and how long to stay in the encounter space.

By monitoring the behavior and movement of each penguin—before, during, and after each encounter—zoo scientists can determine how the program impacts individual welfare. So far, these experiences have had a neutral or positive impact on the colony. Learn more about our approach.

LEARN ABOUT WELFARE

Information

Schedule

Penguin Encounters last 60 minutes. This includes approximately 10 minutes at the front of the habitat, 20 minutes in a behind-the-scenes area, and 20 minutes inside the penguin habitat.

Interacting With the Penguins

You cannot touch or feed the penguins, but the penguins may choose to approach. Keep your hands on your lap at all times while in the habitat.

Group

Each Penguin Encounter is limited to eight participants. If there are fewer than eight people in your group, you may be joined by others. All participants must be at least 6 years old. Anyone between the ages of 6 and 17 must be accompanied by a paid adult, with at least one adult for every four participants under the age of 18.

Risk Acknowledgement

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to providing a safe environment during each Penguin Encounter. While the zoo does its best to minimize the potential for injury, we cannot completely eliminate all risks. Examples of risks include, but are not limited to, the following: wet floors, objects moved or thrown by animals, allergic reactions to animals, animal bites and scratches, and being in close proximity to fish and seafood or to substances used at the zoo.

Health Considerations

Lincoln Park Zoo respectfully requires—for the safety of the animals in our care—that if you or anyone in your group feels unwell prior to arriving for a Penguin Encounter, or shows any signs of infectious illness (sore throat, new cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, or a fever at or above 100.4 degrees), please do not attend the program.

Accessibility Considerations

The Penguin Encounter involves putting on and taking off boot shoe covers and protective knee-high gaiters, traveling a short distance through doorways and winding pathways, using a sanitation foot bath, sitting for 20–30 minutes, and being in a semi-covered outdoor space in all types of weather.

Part of the encounter will take place inside the penguin’s habitat, which has a layout that includes close proximity to water and limited space available for maneuvering. As a result, the following rules are important for the safety of animals and participants:

  • Service animals are not allowed in behind-the-scenes spaces during the program
  • No more than two hospital-sized wheelchairs will fit in the space at a time
  • Only one standard-sized electronic conveyance vehicle not exceeding 27.5 inches wide and 48 inches long can enter at a time due to limited capacity

Please reach out to zooexperiences@lpzoo.org with questions about accommodations or other considerations.

Penguin Encounter Adopt!

Take home a unique penguin plush Adopt package with your Penguin Encounter purchase! These Adopt packages will come with a penguin plush, certificate, fact sheet, 4-by-5-inch photograph of an African penguin, magnetized photo frame and, exclusive for Penguin Encounter participants, an armband in your choice of color—just like the ones worn by the African penguins at Lincoln Park Zoo! Adopts must be picked up at the Member Center after your Penguin Encounter and will not be available for shipping.
Pre-purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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I’m a member. How do I receive my discount?

Members may receive their discount by logging in to their member account at tickets.lpzoo.org prior to selecting tickets. The discount will be automatically applied.

What are the age restrictions for the Penguin Encounter?

All participants must be at least 6 years old. Any participants between the ages of 6 and 17 must be accompanied by a paid adult, with at least one adult for every four participants under the age of 18.

Can my group be in the Penguin Encounter together?

Yes, as long as there are enough available tickets to purchase. Each Penguin Encounter is limited to eight participants. If there are fewer than eight people in your group, you may be joined by other participants.

How long is the Penguin Encounter?

Your Penguin Encounter lasts 60 minutes—approximately 10 minutes at the front of the habitat, 20 minutes in a behind-the-scenes area, and 20 minutes inside the penguin habitat.

What can I expect during a Penguin Encounter?

A Penguin Encounter involves traveling a short distance, putting on and taking off boot shoe covers and protective knee-high gaiters, stepping in and out of a sanitation foot bath, sitting for 20–30 minutes, and being in a semi-covered outdoor space in all types of weather. You can also expect a strong odor from the penguins’ diet. Please contact us at zooexperiences@lpzoo.org to ask questions about accessibility or program accommodations.

Will I get to touch the penguins?

Participants cannot touch or feed the penguins, but the penguins may choose to approach participants. During the Penguin Encounter, zoo staff will invite the penguin to join your group. Each penguin decides whether to enter the encounter space, how they approach your group, and how long to stay.

Is this event accessible?

Yes!

The number and size of mobility devices that can be used is limited due to the layout and proximity to water in behind-the-scenes spaces. Guest who identify as disabled, Deaf, or chronically ill are encouraged to email zooexperiences@lpzoo.org to get information on accommodations or ask questions about the program experience. Learn more about accessibility at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Do I need to purchase a ticket for every person in my group?

Yes, the prices reflected are per person.

Can I purchase tickets at the zoo?

Tickets are only available for purchase online and must be purchased no later than 24 hours before the program.

What if it rains?

The program will take place rain or shine, except when weather conditions pose a threat to either guests or penguins. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted via email.

My plans changed. Can I reschedule to a different day?

Yes, as long as you do so 48 hours or more before your Penguin Encounter! Use the link in your receipt to reschedule or contact us at zooexperiences@lpzoo.org. Please note, additional programs will not be added to the calendar so you must reschedule based on currently available dates.

What is your refund policy?

Penguin Encounter tickets are nonrefundable. If Lincoln Park Zoo must cancel a Penguin Encounter, a refund or chance to reschedule will be issued. During the program, participants are guaranteed to enter the Penguin Cove. No refunds will be given if participants enter the habitat but the penguins choose not to enter the program area.

I’m running late. What do I do?

Please contact us at zooexperiences@lpzoo.org if you are running a few minutes late. Unfortunately, guests who arrive more than 10 minutes late cannot participate in the program and refunds will not be given. Please plan accordingly for traffic and time to park so you can make it to the program on time!

What should I wear to my encounter?

Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove is an outdoor exhibit, so participants should dress for the weather. Please bring or wear closed-toe shoes. Participants are required to wear shoe covers and protective gaiters to enter the habitat. These will be provided by the zoo, but they can only be worn with closed-toe shoes. All shoe covers and gaiters worn by participants are disinfected between programs.

Is parking available?

Parking is not included in the price of your ticket. Paid parking is available at the zoo’s lot, located at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive (2400 N. Cannon Drive). The zoo is also accessible by train via the Armitage and Fullerton stations and by bus via the 22, 36, 151, and 156 routes.

Can I bring my bag into the Penguin Encounter habitat space?

No, but there will be lockers available behind the scenes for you to store your personal belongings.

I have more questions—who do I contact?

Contact us with any questions at zooexperiences@lpzoo.org!

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